My 21st Century Blues
by RAYE
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 114 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 106 out of 114
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 114
  3. Negative: 5 out of 114
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  1. hpfan92
    Jul 30, 2023
    10
    Album of the year, best new artist, best pop vocal album, she really deserves all the awards!
  2. pedro_bastos
    Jun 12, 2023
    10
    É um dos melhores debut álbuns de toda a história da indústria músical. Raye entregou tudo o que guardava a tanto tempo.
  3. Heyitscarlos
    Jun 9, 2023
    9
    I have sat with this album for months now, since its release. I really wanted my review to be honest and have had time to digest what Raye offered the world, this record so far has been one of my favorite releases of the year. The way Raye has been able to stay true to herself with making some great bops like Flip A Switch, Black Mascara and Five Star Hotels but as well be so honest andI have sat with this album for months now, since its release. I really wanted my review to be honest and have had time to digest what Raye offered the world, this record so far has been one of my favorite releases of the year. The way Raye has been able to stay true to herself with making some great bops like Flip A Switch, Black Mascara and Five Star Hotels but as well be so honest and raw is something to be proud of and heartbroken at the same time. This is an artist who has gone through the gutter professionally and personally, "ice cream man" is a powerful statement about an experience many people go through. The way the album opens with the Introduction and Oscar Winning Tears is stunning, you instantly know you are in for a treat. The jazz undertones in The Thrill Is Gone, Worth it, and Buss It Down are surprising but leave the door open for a future Jazz album that could move the world. This project is a gift to the world and i cant wait to see where Raye goes from here. My one critical comment is how short some of the songs were i feel like they could've been extend an extra 30 seconds.… Expand
  4. martinmunozz
    May 30, 2023
    10
    All the years she's been behind us, writing the lyrics to other artists and being completely mistreated by her label just lead us to My 21st Century Blues, the album she's always been wanting to release. This album just irradiates talent. The magnificent production, the story behind it, the lyrics and her flawless voice leads us to one of the best albums I've ever heard. top 5 definitely,All the years she's been behind us, writing the lyrics to other artists and being completely mistreated by her label just lead us to My 21st Century Blues, the album she's always been wanting to release. This album just irradiates talent. The magnificent production, the story behind it, the lyrics and her flawless voice leads us to one of the best albums I've ever heard. top 5 definitely, and, so far, the best album (and by far) of 2023. So happy she finally found a space for telling her meaningful story.… Expand
  5. AssemabdElmobdy
    Apr 28, 2023
    10
    A great debut album... So emotional so personal
    Me listening to this album feel like I can say so many things I couldn't say before........
  6. CerqueiraD
    Apr 17, 2023
    10
    I LOVED! I didn't know anything about the amazing Raye, but from the first time I heard it, I knew it would be one of the best of the year, if not, the AOTY of the year! INCREDIBLE
  7. djyannoushka
    Apr 16, 2023
    10
    So happy to finally hear RAYE in a full fledged album ! This is my favorite musical release of 2023, even though we're just starting the year, no questions asked. I expected absolutely none of what she delivered, and found myself so emotional at every corner. As a whole, the album really feels like a story and a musical both, and the sheer relief it gave me to hear full on instruments andSo happy to finally hear RAYE in a full fledged album ! This is my favorite musical release of 2023, even though we're just starting the year, no questions asked. I expected absolutely none of what she delivered, and found myself so emotional at every corner. As a whole, the album really feels like a story and a musical both, and the sheer relief it gave me to hear full on instruments and such a beautiful, emotional, deeply honest voice. The featuring with Mahalia also made me so happy ! I love both artists, their voices mix together super well, it was really refreshing !
    The lyrics hit very deep, especially if you've ever lived as a woman, I'm honestly amazed that someone would be able to be so intimate in an album and I hope she felt a lot relief from it, because I know that it's going to be a very important album for a lot of people who can relate to these words. I deeply recommend watching and listening to any live performance that RAYE does with this album, because as much as the songs are great, RAYE singing them live just makes them 10times better I swear ! It's goosebumps worthy !!    … Expand
  8. skltzoboy13
    Mar 26, 2023
    8
    Amazing debut! I'm so happy for her now that she is an independent artist. Worth It and Escapism are probably going to be my most replayed songs in 2023 XD!
  9. JaySWang
    Mar 16, 2023
    9
    I love her voice! Her talent is amazing and unique! The melodrama type of album is always my choice!
  10. oscarswan
    Mar 16, 2023
    10
    raye demuestra tener el potencial de poder ser la indicada para llevarse el gramófono de best new artist, la manera en la que ella hace hablar su música, tanto en la composición como en la producción de esta. un verdadero ejemplo a seguir y me enorgullece que esta mujer haga que la música sea un medio en el que podemos transmitir lo que creamos que es necesario, tambien considerando queraye demuestra tener el potencial de poder ser la indicada para llevarse el gramófono de best new artist, la manera en la que ella hace hablar su música, tanto en la composición como en la producción de esta. un verdadero ejemplo a seguir y me enorgullece que esta mujer haga que la música sea un medio en el que podemos transmitir lo que creamos que es necesario, tambien considerando que bastantes personas se pueden sentir identificadas con su musica.… Expand
  11. Estaneck
    Mar 10, 2023
    10
    Este álbum é incrível do início ao fim e para quem gosta de música é um álbum completo com muitas melodias,arranjos perfeitos e fora o vocal da raye que é perfeito.
  12. mariana1981
    Mar 7, 2023
    10
    Couldn't debut better than this, a new great artist is rising, congratulations Raye for your beautiful work.
  13. matthewww07
    Mar 7, 2023
    10
    Truly an amazing album, each song has its own unique element to make this album extremely versatile. Raye brings up to a night club with Black Mascara and takes us to church at the very end with Buss It Down. One of the most outstanding debut albums, it's a shame that a record label did not see potential.
  14. edwarbrandesire
    Mar 5, 2023
    0
    A very loud and expressive album in good terms of what a special voice can make
  15. spontaani
    Mar 5, 2023
    8
    Such a wonderful, brave debut album with no skips. Personal favorites are Body Dysmorphia. & Environmental Anxiety.
  16. wojtekk
    Mar 4, 2023
    10
    RAYE did an incredible job! Everything about this album is buttoned up. Each song is very different where RAYE with amazing vocals is fluently moving between genres. Those differences and amazing production make this album perfect!
  17. Soujanya1234
    Feb 25, 2023
    10
    This is an album I can listen to all day long. The story each song tells, the pain, the happiness, with mixed of piano,pop synth, guitar, and her amazing voice, already makes it a top contender for album of the year. I found all the elements of music in this. I'm so happy and i love how much music means to her. Please Raye never let any mother****er get u down. You're are true gem. Buss itThis is an album I can listen to all day long. The story each song tells, the pain, the happiness, with mixed of piano,pop synth, guitar, and her amazing voice, already makes it a top contender for album of the year. I found all the elements of music in this. I'm so happy and i love how much music means to her. Please Raye never let any mother****er get u down. You're are true gem. Buss it down is my fav. I happy that you are finally gonna shine. Take the spotlight, queen.… Expand
  18. crz4tay
    Feb 7, 2023
    10
    A beautiful album with experimental, breakup and political songs, truly album of the year
  19. Gurv707
    Feb 15, 2023
    10
    There are very few artists able to produce such innovative, insightful, genre transcending albums ever! really is a breath of fresh air in the music industry... RAYE the absolute queen is cultivating her own new genre just WOW! It felt like i was an audience member of a west end theatre performance! she has an impeccable ability to transport you where she wants you to go to. ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!
  20. WilliamPavoni
    Feb 12, 2023
    0
    I didn't like it. Too bad and overrated. I think music isn't about being dramatic all the time
  21. Erickp13
    Feb 10, 2023
    8
    Raye possui uma sonoridade única, a forma como ela se conecta com o ouvinte durante todo o álbum é bastante coesa, destaque para Black Mascara e Escapism,
  22. szjoaao
    Feb 8, 2023
    8
    nossa muito diva serio escapism vive na cabeca 24horas por dia fico passando mal
  23. anto2002
    Feb 7, 2023
    10
    This is so good.
    All the tracks tells a story, her story
    My fav of the album is flip a switch
  24. Emayouel_03
    Feb 6, 2023
    10
    The wait's worth it! Raye's delivered the best of her talent, subjectivity and power. With melancholic notes, painful outbursts and many teachings, she trails a road with acclaim and consistency, warming our hearts with such a special project. A Masterpiece's in our hands
  25. redsxj
    Feb 5, 2023
    10
    Wow I can’t believe we were sleeping on raye this entire time. this album is literally a masterpiece, probably one of the best if not the best i’ve heard my entire life. GIVE HER HER FLOWERS & HER GRAMMYS
  26. VitorMacauba
    Feb 5, 2023
    9
    This album is filled with raw, emotional, honest and strong lyrics, with great rhythms, awesome productions and of course Raye’s beautiful voice. It deserves a lot of commercial success and many awards!
  27. PEDROMFR
    Feb 4, 2023
    8
    It's impossible to deny Raye's artistry but I'm pretty sure this is one of the best debut albums of this decade and for sure, the most artistic and diferent one - in all the positive ways. She has this new flow and energy combined with raw truth adding perfect production, making a nearly perfect album.
  28. PEDROSILVERO6
    Feb 4, 2023
    10
    Wow, album is so good. I did not expect this at all! And so many different genres, pop, electro pop, Rnb, funky soul, indie pop rock.. damn it gurrl. And the way she's using her voice is so interesting.
  29. bvcxbnm
    Feb 4, 2023
    10
    Amazing, never heard an album like this. I hope she makes more music and albums.
  30. MetacriticOnur
    Feb 4, 2023
    8
    excellent
    [ ek-suh-luhnt ]

    adjective
    possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good.
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Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2023

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Beats Per Minute
    Feb 14, 2023
    80
    This is far from a “safe” debut – her authenticity, vulnerability and innate ability to scribe the gory innards of her consciousness on to paper are entirely unique and intimately personal. It is not always the easiest listen and that is precisely the point.
    Read full review
  2. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 13, 2023
    80
    here’s a touch of pastiche on the doo wop of Thrill Is Gone, but overall the record showcases a self-assured songwriter, capable of producing swaggering floor-fillers. My 21st Century Blues is Keen’s artistic rebirth. Long may it continue.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    Feb 10, 2023
    80
    None of these uninhibited songs could have been half as convincing voiced by another singer. That said, it's evident that she's using her platform to speak for others who have lived through anything remotely similar.
    Read full review
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